That's nice

Feel good stories about minority students in Northridge always make me happy.

PJP2

The BBC just told me that the Pope is ailing even more than previously. I'm not Catholic (I'm Lutheran, like all good Finns) but I'm a ward of the Catholic church, having attended Catholic High School and University. And Lutheran is about as close as you can get to Catholic. It's Catholic Lite: "Catholicism without the guilt". That's how we market it. Anywho, I meet PJP2 in March of 1995, when our Salzburg group (not a cult) visited Rome on our Spring Tour. PJP2 said mass and during the blessing I wasn't paying attention so my religious trinkets weren't properly blessed.

So PJP2, thanks for blessin' a Lutheran (Martin would be proud). Sendin' that blessn' right back at ya'.

Peace.
ALS1

Pigeonholed

Yesterday my flatmate Paul returned from a two-week trip to San Francisco with tales of fabulous cafes, Mexican food, views of the Golden Gate Bridge, a snowboarding journey to Tahoe, and most importantly, the acquaintance of a new cat. Here was the conversation:

Paul: "Gregor and Caitlin have the sweetest kitty. The softest fur in the world. Four years old, from the humane society."

Anna-Lisa: "Large or compact?"

Paul: "Quite compact, as a matter of fact."

A-L: "Long- or short-haired?"

Paul (after petting the imaginary cat in his lap): "Short."

A-L: "Lap cat or armchair sitter?"

Paul: "Lap cat for sure. Head butter as a matter of fact."

A-L: "I know the type."

Easter Monday

On Easter Monday we (me and others) went whitewater rafting in Aberfeldy, on the River Tay. SPLASH! was the company, cold was the temperature, freezing were my hands and feet, horizontal rain was in the face, rapids fun and good, and Toby our English guide with Australian accent deserved a tip. But the Brits don't tip.

1975

Yes folks, it's been the year of the 30th birthday party. Today another 30 cheers for Erin Matlock (nee Leonard). Erin and I became friends at St Bonaventure High School shortly before her 16th birthday. So we've been friends for 14 years. That's an eternity when you're raised as a gypsy, like I was. I know people who are still best friends with their kindergarden classmates. Impossible for the nomadic Sandstrums. I don't even remember if I went to kindergarden. I must have. By the time my sister was 11 she had been in 42 schools. I have 31 yearbooks. So, to make a birthday wish a long story, happy birthday Erin.

tGif

It's Friday. Good Friday to be precise. And it also happens to be Greek Independence Day, which I know only because it's my friend Sara Checkal's birthday, and EVERY year I use the same tired joke of calling her up and saying "Happy Greek Independence Day", and then at the last minute pretending to remember that it's also her birthday. And this year I added to the hilarity and hijinks by calling and wishing her a Happy Good Friday, which isn't all that funny, if you're Christian. Because the Christians are supposed to be in church today, allllllll day, remembering the suffering of Jesus on the cross. But thank God the Brits didn't get the memo. They're all off today, shopping. And one of my students told me we don't have class today because it's a bank holiday. Yes, Jesus was a huge figure in the British banking community.

Eavesdropping

Last night Stuart and I had dinner at The Apartment, and sat next to a table of four: three men and one woman - two Americans, a Brit, and one VERY LOUD Australian man.

It seemed the American woman, and her British husband, and their American colleague were embarking on a business venture with the Australian man. (I would recommend against it.)

I decided not to say a word, to anyone, not even Stuart (except whispering), for fear that they would detect my American accent and censor their most interesting conversation. There were some gems.

Gem 1: Loud Australian Man (LAM) on California: "San Diego has no history."

Anna-Lisa to LAM (in her head): "Tell that to the Mexicans and the Native Americans, you idiot."

Gem 2: LAM after speaking in French to American Lady (AM) and in reponse to the American Man (AM) saying that he took French for two years and didn't understand what LAM said: "Yes I knew you wouldn't understand, I was using slang, and you wouldn't know it."

Anna-Lisa to LAM (in her head, but louder): "You jackass, where do you get off trying to discourage people from speaking, or trying to speak, a foreign language by intentionally using slang and then insulting their skills??"

Gem 3: British Man (BM): "When I was in California, I couldn't get over how vacuous people were."

Anna-Lisa to BM (in her head): "I'll be sure to pass that on to the folks at CalTech, and at the Jet Propulsion Lab, while I'm at it."

Anna-Lisa to Stuart: "What does 'vacuous' mean?"

Gem 4: LAM on his vast knowledge of America: "When I go to the States, people tell me 'you unsettle me with how much you know about the U.S.'"

How unsettling.

If you're a thrift shopper . . .

. . . you will enjoy this delightful blog with photos and writings on all things Thrift Store. Namely fabulous finds. We (meaning me, writing in the style of a gay man) love this site. (Note to my father: I am NOT a gay man.)

Go Wales

Many congratulations to Wales, which has just won the Six Nations Rugby Tournament, "in Grand Slam style," adds Stuart. It's a huge win for the small nation, and cost one Welshman dearly when they beat England in February. Oh dear.

Spring Break 2005

My dad, the seasoned business traveler, has a word of advice for people traveling this coming week: "Don't."

Pete has just experienced the joy of traveling during Spring Break 2005. The airport was apparently filled with millions and millions and millions of "college kids."

"They're all over the place," Pete said, "and they just don't know what they're doin', they don't travel so they don't know where to go, and they ask questions."

The nerve of them.

I imagine by the time you've been flying four times a week for thirty years, your airport routine is pretty well choreographed, and these "amateurs" just get in the way. It took Pete 24 hours of traveling time to get from Medford, Oregon, to Los Angeles, via San Jose, uh, no, flight cancelled, make that via Portland and Denver, not counting an overnight stay at the Marriott in Portland.

Welcome home Pete. Where ya' flyin' to this week?

Spring Has Sprung

Edinburgh was springy and sunny and warm today. Folks went crazy, wearin' t-shirts and shorts and such. And when I say "springy and sunny and warm" I'm talkin' 50 F.

Only in Scotland

Stuart to Anna-Lisa: "My grandad used to have that exact same trailer. It's for hauling sheep."

My Conversation With Aila

Yesterday I spoke with Aila on the phone. I had called my sister to get a recipe, so while she looked for it, she put Aila on the line.

This is how it went:

Anna-Lisa: Hi, what are you doing? I miss you. You are so cute. What's going on?

Aila: Ad nentisedtty diosnmek beeboondim.

Maria (in the background): We're coloring.

Anna-Lisa: Are you coloring?

Aila: yea

Anna-Lisa: Are you having a good time?

Aila: yea

Anna-Lisa: Do you miss me?

Aila: No.

Read . . .

...what's happening tomorrow, according to the International Herald Tribune.

A Book In The Works??

If you followed the Scott Peterson trial, which maybe I did, this guy might write an interesting book.

Aila's Art

Three original pieces of artwork by my niece Aila Maria will be on display in Edinburgh on Monday, March 21st, delivered by Noreen, a co-worker of my sister's who is a dealer in the high stakes world of International Baby Niece Art. In other words, Maria is sending with Noreen some paper Aila coloured on. It will be Edinburgh's National Gallery soon, I'm sure.

Did you know?

"They"* call TJ MAXX, TK MAXX.

*those pesky Brits

Overheard (not Overhead) in Britain

Overheard on the bus: Lady to husband/longtime boyfriend, "I think I should just be straightforward with Karen." (When is that NOT a good idea?)

Paul to Stuart: "Do you remember that dog training show that used to be on television?" (British television is full of hidden, slightly dusty gems.)

Fear Not Dear Readers

I am here to talk you through your Friday afternoon. The loooooong Friday afternoon when every hour stretches for many minutes more than the real hour until you look at the clock and think it's 4:04 p.m. and it's 11:33 a.m. I am here for you.

Scenic Camden

Yes, I know I titled a very recent post "Scenic Lebanon", but there are no Syrians in this story, and no "drive for democracy to distract from America's need for a pipeline through Lebanon" subtext.

So forgive me, Caroline, when you sent me a link to a festival in Camden I immediately thought Camden, England, home of the world-famous Camden Markets. Well, Caroline is selling a very different festival. One whose web site includes this quote:

"Begin your adventure in the Great Hall of the United First Methodist Church smack in the middle of town with the festival banners flying!"

Yes, you guessed it, the Camden Daffodil Festival, 12th Annual, might I add, in Camden, Arkansas. You can even "dance in the streets".

My Silly Friend John

. . . is making salmonella at home. Read how.

And Another One

on one-upmanship. Read this hilarious exchange between super-geeks.

Nationbuilding & One-upmanship

The Scene: The bustop at Craighouse Campus of Napier University, this afternoon.

I approached the bustop and recognized my friend Mark. He studies Sociology and is speaking to two people I don't know. One is a woman, thirties, another is a man, twenties, with his back to me, who has an American-ish accent. Possibly Canadian.

Mark: "What is your e-mail address?"

Guy With Back to Me (GWBTM): "It's on the sheet. Or, you can Google me."

Woman in Thirties (WIT): "Nothing comes up when you put my name in Google."

GWBTM: "A lot comes up when you Google me."

Anna-Lisa: (interrupting) "Where are you from? Are you American?"

GWBTM: "I was raised in Iowa."

Anna-Lisa: "But you're not American? Where are you from?"

GWBTM: "I don't really believe in nationalities. What are borders? Why should I conform to borders that were set up arbitrarily by the government, some imaginary line that I can't freely cross?" (like it's the thousandth time he's recited this verse.)

Anna-Lisa: "What kind of passport do you have?"

GWBTM: "A blue one, but I'm getting a red one."

Anna-Lisa: "Oh, so you're American. How are you getting a red one?"

GWBTM: "I have 'Indefinite Leave to Remain'."

Anna-Lisa: "How did you get that?"

GWBTM: "Well, my partner's British*, and so through her. I think I'm supposed to be really grateful that I got it. I had to go through a lot of red tape. Are you over here studying?"

Anna-Lisa: "Actually," (insert condescending long pause while I think about how cool I am), "actually, I just finished my Masters**, and I'm working here, at Napier. What are you doing here?"

GWBTM: "I just finished my PhD at the University of Edinburgh and I'm teaching 'Gender & Sexuality' here at Napier."

Anna-Lisa: "Oh, cool." Quickly turns to Mark who is from the Sheltand Islands and asks: "How are the ponies?"

*(Mentally interrupting him here saying, "I thought you didn't believe in nationalities?????!!!!" (in the style of an 11-year-old)

**It was capitalized in my head.

Scenic Lebanon

I can't wait until the Syrians get out and we can all go to scenic Lebanon. My dad always says, "You know, they used to call Beirut the 'Paris of the Middle East' and then they ruined it." Well, Peter, maybe in a few years we can go visit.

Publishing Management I - Lecture 4

I am putting together the presentation for this Friday's lecture on assets and liabilities and I came up with this super-original genuis quote:

"In financial matters, if there is one word that clearly expresses a concept, there will be three words for it."

The, A, or Your?

This morning as I was getting ready for work Ted appeared in the kitchen. I was wearing a black top, black skirt and black boots and Ted said to me, "you look like manager." His manager, a manager, or the manager??? It's been troubling me all day. Somewhere I have a staff.